Snapper

Snapper - To 100 centimetres

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Saltwater

Warehou Trumpeter Trevally Tarakihi Snapper Red cod Parore Kahawai John dory Jack Mackerel

The most abundant commercial species in New Zealand, with most taken north of Cook Strait, it does, however, wander south to Banks Peninsula in summer months.

Snapper frequent most habitats from open sand to reef structures out to approximately two hundred meters.

Its food includes a wide variety of animals, notably shellfish fastened to rocks and those living in sand and mud. Sea eggs (kina), crabs and other fishes are also taken in abundance.

The steep head profile, large grasping and crushing teeth, and golden-red colour with blue green spots, easily identify this species. Small examples are sometimes called bream and the maori name tamure is still in use along northern coasts.

Snapper are perhaps New Zealand's most sought after recreational and table fish and often caught on bait (fresh is best) such as pilchards, squid, kahawai, skipjack tuna and most shellfish species found around New Zealand's coast. Snapper are very much opportunistic feeders and will readily take artificial lures such as soft baits but they also respond well to vertically jigged lures and are also a species available to saltwater fly fishermen.

Numbers have been reduced by excessive commercial fishing in the northern half of the north-east coast of the north island, although the daily limit bag of nine fish is still attainable. It is hoped that new fisheries management measures will restore stocks of this fast breeding fish.

- © Fairfax NZ News